This large-format, beautifully color-illustrated compendium of information for young adult readers describes one of the world's most widespread religions. Each page presents five or six vivid illustrations with lengthy descriptive captions. Readers acquaint themselves with the Muslim people in different parts of the world, as well as with their art, architecture, history, and activities, both religious and secular. The book is divided into 27 sections, each focusing on a separate aspect of Muslim history and culture. Major topics include Arabia before Islam, the prophet Muhammad, Arab expansion, Islamic Spain, the Seljuk Turks, the Crusades, Islamic worship, Islamic festivals, art and architecture, the emergence of Muslim states, Islam today, and many others. Combining illustrations of unusual quality with concise information, this volume provides a fine introduction to the world of Islam for young adult readers. Hundreds of illustrations.
Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Copiously illustrated with photos, original art, maps and reproductions, the large-format Atlas of Islam: People, Daily Life and Traditions by Neil Morris devotes each of its spreads to single subjects (e.g., "The Abbasids," "Sufism" and "Islamic Spain"). Each spread includes an explanatory paragraph and about 18 extensively captioned color images. Beneath the high-impact visuals, however, the text can be confusing ("Muslims believe that Muhammad (c. 570-632 ce) was the last and seal of the prophets of Allah") or disingenuous ("In recent years, some Islamist groups... have reacted to failure to achieve their ends by turning to violence. This has only served to heighten fear and distrust of Islam among non-Muslims").
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 3-8-Although numerous small maps are included, this title is not an atlas in the traditional or historical sense. Rather, it is a survey of the people who made up the mainstream of Islamic life, with a nod toward the lands in which they have lived. More historically based than Philip Wilkinson's Islam (DK, 2002), this title uses two-page chapters to discuss groups such as the Abbasids, the Sufis, the Turks, and the Uzbeks, as well as broader topics such as the Ottoman and Mughal Empires, the Crusades, and the spread of Islam into Africa and Southeast Asia. Unlike books published just a few years ago, it also includes a discussion of Islamism (aka Islamic fundamentalism), including mention of Osama bin Laden. The book's bite-sized paragraphs can give even integrated text a jumpy, disconnected feel, and the tendency to chronicle rather than analyze the information presented may confuse young readers. The apparent dichotomy, for example, between Islam's traditions of tolerance, on the one hand, and references to forced conversion, repressive regimes, and terrorist attacks, on the other, will seem like contradictions to many children. Likewise, the plentiful reproductions of Islamic figurative art seem to conflict with prohibitions against such depictions. These are not factual errors but rather limitations of the format. In addition, a few of the picture captions refer to fewer persons than are actually depicted, with no explanation of the discrepancy. Even so, this volume contains a great deal of information, presented in an attractive way, and will be useful to libraries looking to broaden or update their materials on Islam.
Coop Renner, Blackshear Elementary School, Austin, TX
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Coop Renner, Blackshear Elementary School, Austin, TX
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Youthful look at Islam,
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This review is from: The Atlas of Islam: People, Daily Life and Traditions (Hardcover)
Children will like this large-page book with many illustrations and colorful photographs. But only 64 pages. Good introductory info regarding Islam; stuff regarding Islamic countries, culture, Muslim differences, Shiite v Sunni, traditions, daily life, Fatimids, Islamic Spain, Sufism, Mongols, Maelukes, Mughal empire, Fesitvals, Women, Islamism, the Hajj -- not any deep info, but brief mentioning. Hey, a booklet for young elementary-school kids. I learned a few things, too. I'd buy it with a spare dollar or two -- primarily for the extensive illustrations.
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